Clarke HFBC12-24, HFBC12 Operation & Maintenance Instructions Manual

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE

INSTRUCTIONS

LS0814

HIGH FREQUENCY AUTOMATIC BATTERY

CHARGER

MODEL NO: HFBC12-24

PART NO: 6267005

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing this CLARKE High Frequency Automatic Battery
Charger.

Please read this manual thoroughly, before attempting to operate, and
carefully follow all instructions given.

It is vitally important that ALL precautions are taken, as specified, which will not
only provide protection for yourself and that of others around you, but will also
ensure that the Battery Charger will give you long and satisfactory service.

GUARANTEE

This CLARKE product is guaranteed against faulty manufacture for a period of
12 months from the date of purchase. Please keep your receipt as proof of
purchase.

This guarantee is invalid if the product is found to have been abused or
tampered with in any way, or not used for the purpose for which it was
intended.

Faulty goods should be returned to their place of purchase, no product can
be returned to us without prior permission.

This guarantee does not effect your statutory rights.

ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING POLICY

Through purchase of this product, the customer is taking on the
obligation to deal with the WEEE in accordance with the WEEE
regulations in relation to the treatment, recycling & recovery and
environmentally sound disposal of the WEEE.

In effect, this means that this product must not be disposed of with general
household waste. It must be disposed of according to the laws governing
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at a recognised disposal
facility.

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THE CHARGING PROCESS

The HFBC12 has a sophisticated computer system that performs a 7 stage
automatic charging cycle.

The stages of this charging cycle are as follows:

STAGE 1 DIAGNOSIS (UPON CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY)

• Polarity check: to make sure that the connections are correct.

• Battery check: to make sure that the battery can accept a charge and
is not faulty, if it is the charger will not attempt to charge the battery.

Warning LEDs will come on if either test fails.

STAGE 2 PRE-CHARGE

STAGE 3 SOFT START

STAGE 4 CONSTANT CURRENT

Charges a discharged battery at a constant current depending on charge
mode selection.

Charges until the battery is 80-90% re-charged.

STAGE 5 CV(CONSTANT VOLTAGE)

This is a charging cycle for batteries nearly full. It will top off the battery to a full
charge.

STAGE 6 RESTING

Cuts off automatically when a full charge is reached.

STAGE 7 RESTORING

Automatic On-off Monitoring. The charger will maintain and optimise the

battery indefinitely so long as it remains connected to the battery. If the

battery falls below 12.8V DC, the charger will restart at stage one.

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THIS UNIT

1. Battery acid is highly corrosive. If spillage occurs, wipe off immediately and
wash copiously with water. Particularly avoid contact with the eyes, but if
this occurs, you must seek medical advice.

2. When charging is completed, ensure that the vehicle battery leads are
secured to the proper terminals which should be clean, and lightly
smeared with petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion. Finally, re-check the
electrolyte level.

3. Do not expose this charger to rain.

4. Never touch together the negative and positive leads on this unit whilst the
unit is switched on.

5. Never attempt any electrical or mechanical repair. If you have a problem
with your machine contact your local stockist for service information.

6. Before charging ensure the battery terminals are clean and that the cells
are filled with electrolyte to the correct level by adding distilled water
where necessary.

7. This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with
reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and
knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction
concerning use of the charger by a person responsible for their safety.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the
charger.

WARNING: BECAUSE HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE HYDROGEN GAS IS
RELEASED IN THE PROCESS OF BATTERY CHARGING, PLEASE REMEMBER
TO SWITCH OFF THE CHARGER FIRST, AND SO AVOID SPARKING WHICH
WILL OCCUR WHEN CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING LIVE LEADS.

WARNING: CERTAIN TYPES OF SEALED OR MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERIES
NEED EXTRA CARE WHEN CHARGING. PLEASE CONSULT BATTERY
MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS UNIT.

WARNING: SINCE TOXIC FUMES MAY BE RELEASED DURING BATTERY
CHARGING, ONLY USE THIS UNIT IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

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ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Before switching the product on, make sure that the voltage of your electricity supply is
the same as that indicated on the rating plate. This product is designed to operate on
230VAC 50Hz. Connecting it to any other power source may cause damage.

This product may be fitted with a non-rewireable plug. If it is necessary to change the
fuse in the plug, the fuse cover must be refitted. If the fuse cover becomes lost or
damaged, the plug must not be used until a suitable replacement is obtained.

If the plug has to be changed because it is not suitable for your socket, or due to
damage, it should be cut off and a replacement fitted, following the wiring instructions
shown below. The old plug must be disposed of safely, as insertion into a mains socket
could cause an electrical hazard.

If the colours of the wires in the power cable of this product do not correspond with the
markings on the terminals of your plug, proceed as follows.

• The wire which is coloured Blue must be connected to the terminal which is

marked N or coloured Black.

• The wire which is coloured Brown must be connected to the terminal which is

marked L or coloured Red.

We strongly recommend that this machine is connected to the mains supply via a
Residual Current Device (RCD)

If in any doubt, consult a qualified electrician. DO NOT attempt any repairs yourself.

This symbol indicates that this is a Class II product, and does not require an earth
connection.

WARNING! Read these electrical safety instructions thoroughly
before connecting the product to the mains supply.

WARNING! The wires in the power cable of this product are
coloured in accordance with the following code:
Blue = Neutral Brown = Live

Plug must be BS1363/A approved.

Always fit a 13 Amp fuse.

Ensure that the outer sheath of the cable is firmly held by the clamp

Neutral

(Blue)

Live

(Brown)

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OVERVIEW

1 Handle 11 NEGATIVE (BLACK) lead

2 12 V Selected LED 12 Wrong Connection LED

3 24 V Selected LED 13 Bad Battery LED

4 Power LED 14 Battery Voltage Selector

5 Charging LED 15 Run / Stop Button

6 Full Charge LED 16 Charging Current Selector

7 75% Full LED 17 2 Amp Trickle Charge LED

8 50% Full LED 18 10 Amp Mid Charge LED

9 Low Level LED 19 20 Amp Quick Charge LED

10 POSITIVE (RED) lead

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PREPARATION

1. If it is necessary to remove the battery from a vehicle to charge it, always
remove the grounded terminal from the battery first. Make sure that all
accessories in the vehicle are off to prevent sparking.

2. During charging, make sure that the area around the battery has good
airflow.

3. Clean the battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in
contact with eyes.

4. Add distilled water to each cell until the battery acid reaches the level
specified by the battery manufacturer. This helps remove unwanted gas
from the cell. Do not overfill. For a battery without cell caps, follow the
manufacturer's instructions.

5. Study all the battery manufacturer's specified precautions: for example,
removing or not removing cell caps while being charged, and
recommended rates of charge.

6. Refer to the vehicle manual to find the voltage of the battery and make
sure that the output voltage switch is set at the correct voltage.

7. If the charger has adjustable charge rate, charge the battery initially at the
lowest rate.

CHARGER LOCATION

1. Place the charger as far away from the battery as possible.

2. Do not position the charger above the battery during the charging
procedure. Gases from the battery will cause corrosion and damage the
charger.

3. Do not let battery acid drip on the charger when reading specific gravity
or when you fill the battery.

4. Do not operate the charger in a closed in area, or decrease airflow in any
way.

5. Do not place the battery on top of the charger.

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CONNECTING TO A BATTERY

BATTERY IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE

1. Route the leads carefully to decrease the risk of damage by the bonnet,
door, or engine parts.

2. Keep away from the fan blades, belts, pulleys, and other parts that can
cause injury.

3. Check the polarity of the battery posts.

4. Refer to the vehicle manual to find out if the vehicle has a Negative or
Positive earth.

• For negative earth vehicles, connect the POSITIVE (RED) lead from the

battery charger to the POSITIVE terminal on the battery. Connect the
NEGATIVE (BLACK) lead to the vehicle chassis or engine block away
from the battery. Do not connect the lead to the carburetor, fuel lines, or
sheet metal body parts. Connect to a heavy metal section of the frame
or engine block.

• For positive earth vehicles, connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) lead from the

battery charger to the NEGATIVE terminal on the battery. Connect the
POSITIVE (RED) lead to the vehicle chassis or engine block away from
the battery. Do not connect the lead to the carburetor, fuel lines, or
sheet metal body parts. Connect to a heavy metal section of the frame
or engine block.

5. When charging is completed, switch off the charger and disconnect the
plug from the power supply, Remove the lead from the vehicle chassis,
and then remove the lead from battery.

WARNING: A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY MAY CAUSE BATTERY EXPLOSION.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SPARK NEAR THE BATTERY:

• Turn off the charger before you connect/disconnect the DC
output clips.

• Do not let the clamps touch each other.

• Attach the clamps to battery terminals and make sure that you
get a good connection.

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BATTERY HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE

1. Make sure that you know the polarity of the battery posts.

2. Connect the POSITIVE (RED) lead to the POSITIVE post on the battery.

3. Position yourself and the free end of the NEGATIVE (BLACK) lead as far
away from the battery as possible.

4. Reach over and connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) lead at arms length to the
NEGATIVE post on the battery.

• Do not face the battery when you make this last connection.

5. When you disconnect the charger from the battery always do it in the
opposite order to the sequence of connection and break the first
connection at arms length from the battery.

NOTE: A marine (boat) battery must be removed and charged on shore. To

charge it on board requires equipment specially designed for marine
use.

OPERATION

TO CHARGE THE BATTERY

1. Connect the charger to the battery (see page 7).

2. Connect the charger to the mains supply.

• You will hear a beep if the battery is connected correctly.

• If the charger senses an incorrectly connected battery, then the “Wrong

Connection” or “Bad Battery” LED will come on. You MUST connect the
battery correctly before you continue.

3. Use the Battery Voltage Selector button to select 12V or 24V.

• The corresponding LED will come on.

4. Use the Charging Current Selector button to set the charging current.

• 2 amp - Trickle Charge, 10 amp - Midi Charge, 20 amp - Quick Charge

5. Push the Run / Stop button to start the charging process.

• The Charging LED will come on.

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WHEN CHARGING IS COMPLETE

1. When charging is complete the green Charged LED will come on.

2. Switch off the charger and disconnect the plug from the power socket.

3. Remove the leads from the battery as described in the previous sections.

STORAGE

Store the mains lead and clamps in
the compartment shown when not
being used.

MAINTANENCE

This charger requires minimal maintenance. As with any appliance or tool, a
few common sense rules will prolong the life of the battery charger.

1. Keep in a clean, dry area.

2. Wind up the leads when not in use.

3. Clean the case and leads with a moist cloth.

4. Clean corrosion from the clamps with a solution of water and baking soda.

5. Examine the leads at regular intervals for damage and have them
replaced if necessary.

WARNING: ALWAYS BE SURE THE CHARGER IS UNPLUGGED BEFORE
PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE OR CLEANING.

WARNING: ALL OTHER SERVICING/REPAIRS SHOULD BE DONE BY
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY.

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PARTS DIAGRAM

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PARTS LIST

NO DESCRIPTION PART NO

1 Black Clip GRHFBC122401

2 Clapboard GRHFBC122402

3 Main PCB GRHFBC122403

4 Front Case GRHFBC122404

5 Front Panel with label GRHFBC122405

6 Rear case GRHFBC122406

7 Red Cable / Clamp GRHFBC122407

8 Power Cord GRHFBC122408

9 Cover GRHFBC122409

10 Handle GRHFBC122410

11 Screw GRHFBC122411

12 Black Cable / Clamp GRHFBC122412

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem Cause Solution

Bad Battery light
comes on

The battery voltage is between

0.5V and 1.5V.

Have the battery tested by a
qualified technician;

Replace the bad battery if
necessary.

The battery voltage is lower
than 11V(12V),22V(24V) after
being charged for 4 minutes.

The battery voltage drops
below 12V, 24V two minutes
after being fully charged.

Couldn't reach fully charged
status in 24 hours.

Battery does not
charge

Lack of AC input power. Make sure that the charger is

plugged into AV outlet and the
POWER LED is lit.

Faulty connections to battery
terminals.

Unplug the charger and check
the battery connection; ensure
that there is a good connection
at the battery terminal/post
and/or vehicle chassis..

Wrong charge voltage
selection.

Check that the correct charge
voltage was selected for the
battery being charged..

Battery voltage too low. Ensure enough charging time

was allowed to charge battery.

Charging a very cold battery. If the battery being charged is

extremely cold (below
freezing), it will not accept a
high rate of charge, so the
initial charger rate will be slow.
The rate of charger will increase
as the battery warms.
Never attempt to charge a
frozen battery.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Model Number HFBC12-24

Battery Voltages: 12V, 24V

IP Rating IP20

Minimum Battery Size 5 AH

Maximum Battery Size 200 AH

Operating Temperature Range 0 to 40°C

Dimensions (D x W x H) 170 x 265 x 180 mm

Weight 2.3 kg

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DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY